ESOCS Devotional 13 August 2023
MEMORY VERSE: “These are they which came out great tribulation and have washed their robes and them while in the blood of the bomb.” Revelation 7:14
TEXT: ROMANS 5: 1-11 (KJV)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The word ‘Glory’ means to rejoice or boast in something. It means praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent, especially thanksgiving in order to glorify God Almighty. This refers to something that secures praise or renown the glory of a brilliant career. So, you may wonder how in flesh someone will then glory in tribulation or suffering or affliction. To further understand the above, tribulation is like the fire that tampers the steel of faith for endurance. That is the time our faith looks to Christ for His power, wisdom and grace to overcome.
Illustrating the above by focusing on Joseph, second to the last son of Israel, his other ten brothers hated him to the point of killing him. At the intervention of his eldest brother, he was rather thrown into a dungeon and sold out to strangers. That was not all, as a chief slave he was accused by the wife of Potiphar and so throw into prison. From this prison, he was invited by Pharaoh to interpret a dream. This was the end of that journey of tribulation that ushered him to the throne in Egypt, second to Pharaoh. In the case of Joseph, he had revealed his royalty to him. From that day on, he became very careful and took his time to guard himself and eschew evil by all means. Though suffering, he endured all the suffering in faith that one day the suffering will end and the vision will come to pass in manifestation.
As Christians, when we are facing trials, temptations, or adversity, difficulties, unimaginable suffering, we should rejoice and be happy for several reasons. The trial of our faith breeds the experience that will see us through life. For instance, David was the shepherd of Jesse’s family. He was left alone through the valley of shadow of death alone just to find forage and water for his father’s cattle, etc. Sometimes, he was confronted by wild beasts, serpents, desert and storm and many other adversities. He was also chased around by the King of Israel, soul himself until he was tired. In all these he was accumulate to the qualities required to crown him King of Israel. The man after God’s heart. As Christians therefore, tribulations should make us stronger because our Savior Jesus has already conquered and granted us victory over adversities. So, tribulation should make us pray more, fast more, and work harder since we know that in all we have the victory already.
In Summary, Christians must accept or glory in tribulation and see as the examination or last that will take the next level of their Christian carrier.
- How to accept tribulation and glory in it.
- Pray for the ability to endure pain of tribulation meant to lift us to more victorious life and success.
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Proverbs 8:1-17; Matthew 4:23-52; Romans 5:1-11
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ESOCS Devotional 13 August 2023
